Consolidated Statement Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Operating revenues
Service	$ 1,023,820	$ 985,113
Equipment sales	68,301	71,979
Total operating revenues	1,092,121	1,057,092
Operating expenses
System operations (excluding Depreciation, amortization and accretion reported below)	233,164	217,603
Cost of equipment sold	187,036	194,360
Selling, general and administrative (including charges from affiliates of $26.0 million and $26.2 million, respectively)	442,244	442,004
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	146,685	143,340
(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net	(2,210)	1,037
Total operating expenses	1,006,919	998,344
Operating income	85,202	58,748
Investment and other income (expense)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities	21,614	20,891
Interest and dividend income	1,043	849
Interest expense	(13,411)	(15,186)
Other, net	202	(125)
Total investment and other income (expense)	9,448	6,429
Income before income taxes	94,650	65,177
Income tax expense	25,638	24,747
Net income	69,012	40,430
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax	(6,520)	(5,269)
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 62,492	$ 35,161
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	84,570	85,484
Basic earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 0.74	$ 0.41
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	85,133	86,101
Diluted earnings per share attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders	$ 0.73	$ 0.41